Calestous Juma, professor of the practice of international development and director of the Belfer Center's Science, Technology, and Globalization Project, was awarded the coveted Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize (LAAP) during a ceremony in the Akwa Ibom State in Uyo, Nigeria, on October 10, 2014.

Juma, an internationally recognized authority in the application of science and technology to sustainable development worldwide, was awarded the "Prize for Food Security, Agro Processing Development and Quality."

The LAAP Prize is awarded by the Millenium Excellence Foundation every two years to select individuals who have "displayed leadership within critical areas of socio-economic development in Africa, which they have championed and which impacted the lives of Africans for the better." Juma joined 15 other distinguished LAAP Laureates who were nominated by members of the Board of Governors of the Millennium Excellence Foundation. Attendees included African heads of state, leaders of industry across the continent, academicians, the diplomatic corps and political leaders.

Activities during the weeklong dialogue and LAAP Prize ceremony included debate and deliberation on issues ranging from food security and sustainability to Ebola in Africa. This year the Millennium Excellence Foundation also plans to issue a communiqué to all African heads of state with recommendations by experts and leaders of industry.